Maya Ellison
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with plastic waste persisting in the environment for hundreds of years. However, there is hope in the form of bacteria that can break down plastics. These bacteria use enzymes to degrade plastic into smaller molecules, which they can then absorb and use for energy. One notable example is the bacterium Ideonella sakaiensis, discovered in 2016, which can break down and consume polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a common type of plastic. This discovery has sparked excitement about the potential for using bacteria-based solutions to tackle plastic pollution and improve recycling methods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Ideonella sakaiensis |
| Genus | Ideonella |
| Family | Comamonadaceae |
| Type | Gram-negative, rod-shaped |
| Habitat | Oxygen-rich, moist, aerated soil |
| Food | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) |
| Enzyme | PET hydrolase (PETase) |
| Discovery | Kohei Oda, Kenji Miyamoto, and Kazumi Hiraga |
| Discovery Location | Plastic bottle recycling facility in Sakai City, Japan |
| Discovery Year | 2016 |
| Breakdown Process | Uses PETase to degrade PET into mono(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalic acid (MHET) |
| Breakdown Process | Uses MHET hydrolase (MHETase) to degrade MHET into monomeric constituents |
| Breakdown Process | Absorbs monomers for energy |
| Breakdown Time | Breaks down 0.2 mm thickness of low-crystallinity PET in approximately 6 weeks |
| Genetic Modification | Combined with MHETase to break down PET faster |
| Genetic Modification | Combined with Vibrio natriegens to break down PET microplastics in saltwater |
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What You'll Learn
The discovery of Ideonella sakaiensis
The researchers found that Ideonella sakaiensis could break down and consume polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a common type of plastic used in packaging and clothing. The bacterium uses a secreted enzyme called PETase to degrade PET into smaller compounds, which can then be further broken down by other enzymes and bacteria. This process ultimately results in the production of carbon dioxide and other metabolic byproducts.
The bacterium has been studied for its ability to break down PET in various environments, including sewage-fed fisheries, where it has been found to pose no threat to fish growth and cultivation. Additionally, the PETase enzyme produced by Ideonella sakaiensis has been genetically modified and combined with other enzymes to break down PET faster and degrade other types of plastics such as PEF (polyethylene furanoate). These advancements further enhance the potential for using this bacterium in recycling and upcycling mixed plastics.
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PET plastics and their degradation
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics are one of the most common types of plastics, used in everything from clothing to packaging. However, they are not biodegradable in the traditional sense and have become a major component of plastic waste in the environment.
The discovery of the bacterium Ideonella sakaiensis has offered a potential solution to this problem. I. sakaiensis is capable of breaking down and consuming PET, using it as a carbon and energy source. The bacterium was first identified in 2016 by a team of researchers led by Kohei Oda, who found it in a sediment sample taken outside a plastic bottle recycling facility in Sakai City, Japan. The bacterium uses a secreted PET hydrolase, or PETase, to degrade the PET into mono(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalic acid (MHET). The PETase also degrades PET into another intermediate known as Bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), which can be further converted into MHET.
The discovery of I. sakaiensis has spurred discussion about PET biodegradation as a method of recycling and bioremediation. The bacterium has been shown to colonize and break down thin films of low-crystallinity PET in approximately 6 weeks. However, the degradation of high-crystallinity PET is much slower, taking more than 3 years. To address this, scientists have genetically modified the PETase enzyme produced by I. sakaiensis to break down PET faster. This approach may be useful in recycling and upcycling mixed plastics.
In addition to I. sakaiensis, other bacteria have been found to play a role in PET degradation. For example, Comamonas bacteria, which are common in wastewater, have been shown to break down PET. Additionally, the bacterial strain Gordonia sp. CN2K has been found to degrade PET microplastics, using them as its only energy and carbon source.
Overall, the degradation of PET plastics is a complex process that requires innovative solutions. While bacteria such as I. sakaiensis and Comamonas show promise in breaking down these plastics, further research and development are needed to create sustainable solutions for dealing with PET plastic waste.
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Plastic-eating enzymes
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with microplastics polluting the air, our food, and even our bodies. Scientists have been working on innovative ways to break down plastics, and bacteria-based solutions are showing promise.
In 2016, a team of researchers led by Kohei Oda of the Kyoto Institute of Technology discovered a bacterium, Ideonella sakaiensis, which can break down and consume polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a common plastic used in packaging and bottles. This bacterium was first isolated from a sediment sample outside a plastic bottle recycling facility in Sakai City, Japan, where it was breaking down and processing plastic into basic nutrients.
I. sakaiensis uses a secreted PET hydrolase, or PETase, to break down PET into mono(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalic acid (MHET). The PETase also degrades PET into another intermediate, Bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), which can be further converted into MHET. The I. sakaiensis PETase functions by targeting the ester bonds in PET, and the resulting MHET is then broken down into its constituent parts by an MHET hydrolase enzyme, or MHETase.
The discovery of I. sakaiensis and its plastic-degrading abilities has spurred further research and discussion about using bacteria to address plastic pollution. Scientists have since genetically modified the PETase enzyme, combining it with MHETase, to break down PET faster and also degrade PEF (polyethylene furanoate) plastics. This approach could be useful for recycling and upcycling mixed plastics.
Other bacteria have also been found to break down plastics. For example, a common bacterium, Comamonas, found in wastewater, can break down PET into nanoplastics. Additionally, researchers have genetically engineered a marine microorganism, combining Vibrio natriegens and I. sakaiensis, to break down PET in saltwater.
The potential of using bacteria and enzymes to break down plastics is significant, offering new strategies to address the global issue of plastic pollution and improve recycling and upcycling processes.
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Genetically modified bacteria
Vibrio natriegens is a saltwater-dwelling bacterium that reproduces rapidly. By incorporating the DNA of Ideonella sakaiensis, a bacterium capable of breaking down polyethylene terephthalate (PET), researchers successfully induced V. natriegens to produce plastic-degrading enzymes on the surface of its cells. This represents a significant milestone as it is the first instance of a genetically engineered organism capable of breaking down PET microplastics in saltwater.
Ideonella sakaiensis, discovered in a plastic bottle recycling facility in Sakai City, Japan, is a remarkable bacterium that can break down and consume PET. The bacterium adheres to the PET surface and secretes a PET hydrolase enzyme, known as PETase, to initiate the degradation process. This enzyme has been genetically modified and combined with another enzyme, MHETase, to enhance the breakdown of PET and expand its degradation capabilities to include PEF (polyethylene furanoate) plastics.
The genetic modification of Ideonella sakaiensis has spurred discussions about PET biodegradation as a viable method for recycling and bioremediation. The wild-type bacterium can break down thin films of low-crystallinity PET in approximately six weeks. However, the PETase enzyme degrades high-crystallinity PET much slower, taking over three years. To address this challenge, researchers aim to genetically optimize the PETase enzyme to improve its efficiency in breaking down highly crystalline PET, which is prevalent in plastic bottles.
The potential applications of genetically modified bacteria in breaking down plastics extend beyond the laboratory. For instance, in 2021, a coagulation filtration system concept was designed by fifth graders Julia Stewart and Jacob Park, utilizing Ideonella sakaiensis to filter and coagulate water in an environmentally friendly manner. This project won the Toshiba ExploraVision contest in the United States, showcasing the real-world applicability of these modified bacteria in addressing plastic pollution.
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Using bacteria to break down plastic waste
Plastic is a tough and durable material that does not easily biodegrade. This makes it a significant contributor to pollution, with plastic waste projected to triple by 2060.
However, some bacteria can break down plastic, offering a potential solution to this environmental crisis. One such bacterium is Ideonella sakaiensis, discovered in 2016 by a team of Japanese researchers led by Kohei Oda. This bacterium was found outside a plastic bottle recycling facility in Sakai City, Japan, and was shown to break down and consume polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a common plastic used in packaging and bottles. I. sakaiensis uses a secreted PET hydrolase, or PETase, to degrade PET into smaller molecules, which it then absorbs and uses for energy.
Another study by Ludmilla Aristilde and her team from Northwestern University investigated the interaction between Comamonas bacteria and PET. They discovered that these bacteria, common in wastewater, can break down PET by first chewing it into nanoplastics and then further breaking it down with a specialised enzyme. This finding could lead to new ways to clean up PET pollution, which makes up a large proportion of microplastics in wastewater.
Additionally, researchers have genetically engineered a marine microorganism to break down plastic in saltwater. They combined Vibrio natriegens, which thrives in saltwater and reproduces quickly, with Ideonella sakaiensis, which produces enzymes that break down PET. By introducing the DNA sequence for these enzymes into V. natriegens, the researchers created a bacterium capable of breaking down PET microplastics in saltwater.
These discoveries offer promising strategies for using bacteria to break down plastic waste, with potential applications in recycling and environmental cleanup. Further research and engineering can optimise these processes and expand their scope to address the global issue of plastic pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Ideonella sakaiensis is a bacterium that can break down plastics.
Ideonella sakaiensis uses enzymes to break down plastics. These enzymes work by speeding up chemical reactions, allowing the bacteria to break down larger molecules into smaller ones.
Ideonella sakaiensis can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a common type of plastic found in clothing, packaging, and bottles.
Ideonella sakaiensis was discovered in a rubbish dump near a plastic bottle recycling facility in Sakai City, Japan.
